Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Thursday, condemned the concentration of powers at the centre and urged the regions to brace up for autonomy.
Presenting a keynote address at the ongoing South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, Delta State, Soyinka flayed the non-development autonomy of the Federal Government and urged the regions to call the shots to relegate the centre.
“Let each regional groupings collaborate to create a community of interest to manage the natural and human resources, and become creative and more productive.
“Let each state call its conference and begin to relegate the centre.”
“Begin to engage in policies that reduce the ability of the central government to impede the development of the constituent parts,” he charged.
In his remarks, the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said South-South governors and the people should come up with realistic actions.
According to him, despite the fact that the nation was centralised, there was increasing poverty and joblessness, adding that government must encourage job creation and growth, so as the keep the youth busy and improve security.